CHAPTER XXXV _Jeremiah is commanded to go to the Rechabites, who, on the_ _approach of the Chaldean army, took refuge in Jerusalem; and to_ _try their obedience to the command of Jonadab, (or Jehonadab_, Jeremiah 35:2; Jeremiah 10:15; Jeremiah 10:16,) _their great progenitor, who lived in the r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:2. _THE HOUSE OF THE RECHABITES_] The _Rechabites_ were not descendants of _Jacob_; they were _Kenites_, 1 Chronicles 2:55, a people originally settled in that part of _Arabia Petraea_, called the _land_ _of Midian_; and most probably the descendants of _Jethro_, the father-in-law... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:3. _THE WHOLE HOUSE OF THE RECHABITES_] That is, the _family _- the chiefs of which are here specified.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:4. _IGDALIAH, A MAN OF GOD_] A prophet or holy man, having some office in the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:5. _POTS FULL OF WINE, AND CUPS_] The _cups_ were to draw the wine out of the _pots_, in order to drink it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:6. _WE WILL DRINK NO WINE_] The reason is given above. Their whole religious and political institution consisted in obedience to _three_ simple precepts, each of which has an appropriate spiritual meaning: - 1. _YE SHALL DRINK NO WINE_] Ye shall preserve your bodies in temperance,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:8. _THUS HAVE WE OBEYED THE VOICE_] We have considered these precepts so very _reasonable_, so very _useful_, so _conducive_ to the _health of both body and mind_, and sanctioned by such a respectable _antiquity_ that we scrupulously and religiously observe them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:11. _BUT - WHEN NEBUCHADNEZZAR - CAME UP_] If at present we appear to be acting contrary in any respect to our institutions, in being found in the city, _necessity_ alone has induced us to take this temporary step. We have sought the _shelter of the city_ for the _preservation of o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:14. _THE WORDS OF JONADAB - ARE PERFORMED - BUT YE HEARKENED_ _NOT UNTO ME._] The Lord, knowing the fidelity of this people, chose to try them in this way, that he might, by their conscientious obedience to the precepts of their forefathers, show the Jews, to their confusion, their... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:17. _I WILL BRING UPON JUDAH AND UPON ALL THE INHABITANTS_ _OF JERUSALEM ALL THE EVIL_] Having, by the conduct of the Rechabites, clearly and fully convicted them of _ingratitude_ and _rebellion_, he now proceeds to pronounce sentence against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 35:19. _THUS SAITH THE LORD - JONADAB - SHALL NOT WANT A MAN TO_ _STAND BEFORE ME FOR EVER._] His name shall ever be honourable, and his posterity shall enjoy my continual protection, and there shall never be found a time in which men of his spirit shall be wanting as patterns of gen... [ Continue Reading ]